Paint type?

**KawBoy** · 10-16-2014, 06:40 PM

Hello Everyone,

So I was reading the forum and learned that there are different types of paint; acrylic, ceramic, hard paint, things like that. I have no idea what kind my car is, so I can buy a polish compound specific for it. Car is a 2012 BMW M3, Alpine White. I'd appreciate if someone could tell me what kind it is and also recommend a good polish compound. Car has some hard spots, but overall in very good condition.
Thank you much.
Brgds.

**DaveT435** · 10-16-2014, 07:14 PM

From what I have found it's single stage. If you take a dark microfiber towel and put a little compound or polish on it and rub on the car a little if white appears on the fowl it's single stage. If you don't get any white it's base/clear

**Sbmin** · 10-16-2014, 07:31 PM

Your car does not single stage paint. It has a clear coat on it. A good combo if you need to compound and polish is Menzerna FG400 (compound) and SF4000 (polish). The FG400 finishes so well that on a white car, you might not need the SF4000 polish step. This is what I have used on my Alpine White 335i.

**Kamakaz1961** · 10-16-2014, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by Sbmin

Your car does not single stage paint. It has a clear coat on it. A good combo if you need to compound and polish is Menzerna FG400 (compound) and SF4000 (polish). The FG400 finishes so well that on a white car, you might not need the SF4000 polish step. This is what I have used on my Alpine White 335i.

The only thing I like better than SF4000 is SF4500 very little cutting ability and a "jeweling" Polish. But he is correct you have a base coat and clear coat. I agree with the Menzerna products regardless if you use SF4000 or SF4500.

**KawBoy** · 10-16-2014, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by DaveT435

From what I have found it's single stage. If you take a dark microfiber towel and put a little compound or polish on it and rub on the car a little if white appears on the fowl it's single stage. If you don't get any white it's base/clear

It is clear coated. So, what polish compound would you recommend?

**KawBoy** · 10-16-2014, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by Sbmin

Your car does not single stage paint. It has a clear coat on it. A good combo if you need to compound and polish is Menzerna FG400 (compound) and SF4000 (polish). The FG400 finishes so well that on a white car, you might not need the SF4000 polish step. This is what I have used on my Alpine White 335i.

Paint is pretty good, I think (I know nothing) that a very fine polish thing would do it. I thank you much for your recommendation. I've heard a lot of Menzerna.

**KawBoy** · 10-16-2014, 08:38 PM

Forgot to mention; I am going to finally get a DA polisher; is the Menzerna all good for that kind of application? I am going to get a Rupes (not sure if a 21 or 15). It is time for me to get into this DA thing. Tired of hand wax my cars.
Brgds.

**DaveT435** · 10-16-2014, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by KawBoy

It is clear coated. So, what polish compound would you recommend?

Yes, I dug a little deeper, alpine white I and II are single stage, alpine white III is base/clear

**DaveT435** · 10-16-2014, 08:56 PM

It depends on how hard the paint is. Even something that doesn't look very bad can be difficult to remove. The Menzerna line would be a great choice. FG 400 compound and SF 4000 or 4500 polish. Another great polish is Optimum Hyper Polish.

**lawrenceSA** · 10-17-2014, 01:34 AM

Well I have done a few of these now and have to agree on the choice of Menzerna FG400/SF4000 for a 2 step. I also used FG400 and as one step, and PF2500 as a one step

FG400/SF4000
Another Alpine White BMW 1M - Detailed by Lawrence

FG400 only
Alpine White BMW 1M - Detailed by Lawrence

PF2500
Alpine White BMW 135i - Detailed by Lawrence

Hope this helps a little....